HUNDREDS of teddies donated in memory of a three-year-old boy who was killed in an apparent hit-and-run are set to bring Christmas cheer to underprivileged children.

Danny Wake, from Darlington, died on November 4 last year after he was hit by a vehicle that failed to stop.

In a tribute to the youngster, hundreds of teddies were left at the scene of the collision at the junction of Falmer Road and Neasham Road, in Darlington.

As bad weather meant many of them were in poor condition, kind-hearted musician and self-confessed teddy enthusiast, Dave Ward, took the toys to his Darlington home with permission from Danny’s family, in partnership with the police.

Over Christmas, Mr Ward and his wife lovingly cleaned and restored each of the cuddly toys, with help from some of their neighbours.

The cuddly toys have since been donated to Grange Road Baptist Church, in Darlington, where the majority of them will be sent to underprivileged children in Romania as part of the church’s annual Christmas shoebox appeal.

The remaining teddies will be sold at the church, with the proceeds going towards the church’s soup kitchen for homeless people.

Mr Ward said: “There were hundreds of them, the washing machine was on constantly. Some of our neighbours helped us as well so I would like to thank them.

“It is good to see them all going to a good home.”

The 61-year-old has also sold a number of teddies from his home and donated the money to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.